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CEGL001370 Sarcobatus vermiculatus / Suaeda moquinii Wet Shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Greasewood / Mojave Seablite Wet Shrubland

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This shrubland association is reported from the Colorado Plateau and Columbia Basin. The vegetation has a generally sparse shrub layer (<20% cover) that is less than 1.5 m tall and is codominated by Sarcobatus vermiculatus and Suaeda moquinii. The herbaceous layer is sparse. Sites are generally flat to gently sloping saline valley bottoms and toeslopes, river floodplains and playas at elevations ranging from 1179 to 1680 m (3870-5500 feet). Soils are deep, saline, alkaline clay loams.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Compare this association with ~Sarcobatus vermiculatus / Distichlis spicata - (Puccinellia nuttalliana) Shrub Wet Meadow (CEGL002146)$$.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The vegetation has a generally sparse shrub layer (<20% cover), but includes some moderate to dense stands (25-70% cover), that is less than 1.5 m tall and codominated by Sarcobatus vermiculatus and Suaeda moquinii (= Suaeda torreyana). The herbaceous layer is sparse. Common species include Distichlis spicata and Sporobolus cryptandrus.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This shrubland association is reported from the Colorado Plateau and Columbia Basin. Sites are generally flat to gently sloping saline valley bottoms and toeslopes, along intermittent washes, floodplains and playas at elevations ranging from 1179 to 1680 m (3870-5500 feet). Soils are deep, saline, alkaline clay loams.
Geographic Range: This saline bottom association is reported from the Colorado Plateau into western Colorado and northern Arizona, and the Columbia Basin in eastern Oregon, and elsewhere in the western U.S.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AZ, CO, NM, NV, OR, UT


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GUQ

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.5 Salt Marsh Formation F035 2.C.5
Division 2.C.5.Nd North American Western Interior Brackish Marsh, Playa & Shrubland Division D036 2.C.5.Nd
Macrogroup 2.C.5.Nd.1 Warm & Cool Desert Alkali-Saline Marsh, Playa & Shrubland Macrogroup M082 2.C.5.Nd.1
Group 2.C.5.Nd.1.b Greasewood - Saltbush species Alkaline-Saline Wet Scrub Group G537 2.C.5.Nd.1.b
Alliance A1046 Greasewood Intermountain Wet Shrubland Alliance A1046 2.C.5.Nd.1.b
Association CEGL001370 Greasewood / Mojave Seablite Wet Shrubland CEGL001370 2.C.5.Nd.1.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Sarcobatus vermiculatus Plant Community (Branson and Owen 1970) [Desert scrub community from western Colorado with Sarcobatus vermiculatus (22% cover) and Suaeda moquinii (= Suaeda fruticosa) (18% cover) on Mancos shale.]
< Saltbush - Greasewood (501) (Shiflet 1994)
< Saltbush-greasewood (Küchler 1964)
Concept Author(s): Western Ecology Group

Author of Description: K.A. Schulz

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 08-09-16
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  • Thomas, K. A., M. L. McTeague, A. Cully, K. Schulz, and J. M. S. Hutchinson. 2009a. Vegetation classification and distribution mapping report: Petrified Forest National Park. National Resource Technical Report NPS/SCPN/NRTR--2009/273. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 294 pp.
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